At Least 6 Dead As Flooding Hits Peru's No. 2 City

Record rain in the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa has caused serious flooding that authorities say has killed at least six people and inundated hundreds of homes in the South American country's second-largest city.

Record rain in the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa has caused serious flooding that authorities say has killed at least six people and inundated hundreds of homes in the South American country's second-largest city.

A regional meteorologist quoted by the Andina state news agency says nearly 5 inches (12.3 centimeters) of rain fell on Arequipa during a seven-hour period that began Friday afternoon.

Police officer Cesar Villegas told The Associated Press by phone Saturday that homes were destroyed and cars flipped over by surging floodwaters in the city of 800,000 residents. Video broadcast on Peruvian television showed muddy torrents tearing apart dirt streets.

Regional Gov. Miguel Guzman said in a TV interview that at least two bridges have collapsed and several outlying towns are cut off.